Posts Tagged: how to

A major issue of apartment living is not having adequate space. When you finally get all of your belongings moved in, you may find that you can’t properly store your belongings because you simply don’t have enough space. With a little creativity and smart furniture purchases, you can find the extra space you need. If…

Living with a roommate can be beneficial in many ways including: splitting rent and household bills, having someone nearby in case of an emergency, and having someone to hang out with. One habit that can become problematic is living with a roommate who is less tidy than you, especially when it comes to sharing and…

You and your potential roommate need to have an open, honest conversation to ensure you will be compatible before you sign a lease and move into an apartment together. This conversation and some of the questions may be uncomfortable and personal, especially when it comes to discussing finances, but they are necessary questions you both…

Looking for an apartment, especially your first apartment, can be overwhelming. To find the right rental you need to consider many variables, including the neighborhood, your budget limitations and your lifestyle. We have broken the whole intimidating process down into three manageable steps that will coach you to find an apartment that is right for you.…

The biggest transition for me after moving into an apartment is dealing with MONEY. Or lack thereof. While I was prepared for paying bills and living on a budget, it was is hard to adjust to having the majority of my paycheck dissolve into rent and utility payments. My boyfriend and I are used to going out…

We focus much of our site about renting apartments. How to do it – from dealing with landlords, finding new (and sane) roommates, or hunting down movers – we got your back. But, housing prices are down, interest rates are low and there has been a flurry of rent vs buy articles in various places (including last week’s NYTimes…

Our Bloggers Wanted ad got a huge response and brought in a whole bunch of good first apartment ideas. Here’s one from Kasey, who is a junior at UCSD and just got her first apartment. “The one thing I suggest for any new apartment renter is a good tool kit. It doesn’t have to be…

As many frequent readers of My First Apartment can attest to – I don’t have a very high opinion of the New York Times’ rental section. Their articles are myopic and outdated and the tone tends to more closely resemble that of an Upper East Side doyenne than a breaking news reporter. I still have…

Looking at apartments without furniture can be tricky – it’s not as easy to guesstimate space as one might think. And then there’s the whole issue of sizing up landlords, neighborhoods, and how you’ll turn this random apartment you just saw for the very time today into a home. But you can do it while…

Today, we have a question from our MyFirstApartment mail bag. “How much should you budget for utilities? Thanks! Lacey” The short answer is — anywhere from $75 – $200+ per month. What’s the long answer? In terms of possible utilities, here’s a comprehensible checklist: electric, water, heat, trash pickup, gas(**HEAT), cable, internet, and telephone. Off…